ITAWG Terms of Reference
Date: 28/02/11
Purpose
The Information Technology Accessibility Working Group (ITAWG) is being
established to provide informed technical advice and direction in the provision of
assistive technologies that lead to improved student learning opportunities linked to
the RMIT Disability Action Plan 2009 – 2015.
ITAWG supports the University in determining the selection and implementation of
assistive technology (AT) to support RMIT’s strategic priorities. Recommendations
will be forwarded to the annual Assistive Technology Director’s Meeting and will
inform ITS in setting priorities for the Information Communication Technology (ICT)
Strategy Committee.
Role
ITAWG brings together a representative group of staff from the University, including
ITS, Students Portfolio’s Disability Liaison Unit (DLU) and others involved in inclusive
practices. The group contributes technical knowledge, expertise and vision for the
effective provision of AT to fulfill the priories set out in the University’s Disability
Action Plan 2009 - 2015.
The scope of the Group will comprise:

Implementation: Develop Installation Configuration and Testing Guidelines
for the successful implementation of AT for managed operating environment
(MOE), Lectopia and other relevant platforms/applications.
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Maintenance: Develop policies and procedures to ensure that AT is reinstalled, configured and tested with each updated version of MOE , Lectopia
and other relevant platforms/applications.

Evaluation/Continuous Improvement: Develop methodologies for
monitoring the ongoing accessibility of the MOE, assist in the identification of
new assistive technologies and evaluation of their suitability.
ITAWG provides advice in areas such as:
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Appropriate assistive technology for physical teaching spaces such as lecture
theatres, computer laboratories, and other learning environments.
Relevance of new technologies to accessibility.
Interoperability of assistive technology systems and processes within RMIT;
Development of staff capabilities in the technical provision and support of AT;
Developments and issues elsewhere in the sector. For example,
benchmarking with other Australian Technology Network Universities and
University-level engagement with national professional organizations.
Membership
Suggested membership is:
Membership
Name
Senior Manager, Learning & Work – Chair
Ian Taylor
Manager, Disability Liaison Unit (DLU)
Rick Boffa
Assistive Technology Adviser (DLU)
Martin Kelly
Standard Operating Environment Architect (ITS)
Hinh Tran
Service Management Coordinator Ops Team
Russell Van Sanders
Audio Visual. ITS quality assurance services.
Jonathan Goldstraw
& Shane Somerville
Senior Manager, Non-Academic Portfolios or nominee (ITS) Fernando Silva
Senior Manager, Science, Engineering & Health or nominee John Zylinski
(ITS)
Senior Manager, Design and Social Context or nominee
(ITS)
Laurie Davis
Senior Manager, Business or nominee (ITS)
Jason Lunghusen
Manager, Student IT Services
Michael Thomas
Systems Administrator MAC
Peter Varitimidis
Educational Technology Advancement Group, Senior
Coordinator, Education Technology Integration
Meaghan Botterill
Student Representative from College of Business
Borisut
Padungpokkasoon
Student Representative from College of Science,
Engineering and Health
Michael Lescohiel
Manager of document services and coordinator of library
disability liaison staff
Julie Wilson

The Working Group will co-opt additional members and / or invite other
specialist staff to participate, as required.

Members should nominate a proxy for situations when they are unable to
attend meetings.
Meetings:

Meetings will be initially held bimonthly but may be subject to change. The
working group may create sub groups to work on particular issues, as
required.